ANIA C2 Group 8 Lesson 2

Class

Reading

Take the long way home Julie Burchill

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2000/jul/29/weekend.julieburchill

Vocabulary

To churn out

To coast by

To muck about

To skive

Thick 

Homework

Finish the Mind Over Matter gapped text exercise.

D'Amico Shipping B1 Lesson 7

Lesson 7

Class

Questions and intonation (New Language Leader Intermediate p. 9)

Subject/object questions G2 pp. 126 - 127, 157, 163

Song of the week

Under Pressure Queen & David Bowie

Thanks to Martina for nominating this week's song. For the full lyrics and an explanation got to genius.com.

http://genius.com/Queen-under-pressure-lyrics

Homework

Find a song that includes questions in the text (e.g. Blowing in the Wind by Bob Dylan or What Have You Done For Me Lately? by Janet Jackson). Print off the lyrics and underline all the questions. Are they subject or object questions?

Legal English at Bennett Languages Lesson 10

Lesson 10
Class
Branches of Law
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/23973405/Branches%20of%20Law
Presentation Skills - Preparing and Giving Presentations
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/32233573/Presentations

Vocabulary and Corrections
parliamentarians
all around in the world
cause a damage  (damage is uncountable c.c. sue for damages)
behavement behaviour
Check pronunciation of plurals and third person s
check pronunciation of vowel sounds and ed endings e.g. based

Homework
Choose a topic for your presentation. Think about how many points you want to make, how you will structure it and what signposting language you need.

D'Amico Shipping B2 Lesson 7

Class

Reading skills

Structure, discourse markers (question 2, page 8)

Author's opinion or reader's inference? (Question 5, page 9)

Speaking

Opening questions/follow up questions/opinion or hypothetical questions (pp. 11 - 12)

Writing

Business corresponce

Emails, letters and memos, beginnings and endings (pp. 12 - 13)

Homework

Finish the questions on writing, p.13 questions 2,3,4

Notes

Do you mind if I borrow present tense - more informal

Would you mind if I borrowed - past tense for hypothetical distance therefore more formal
Vocabulary
swap over
advance my career

Going further

Read Tim Dowling's light-hearted article on pre-interview icebreakers.
http://www.theguardian.com/money/shortcuts/2016/jan/26/twelve-words-say-job-interview-avoid-opening-lines

ANIA B2.3 Group 5 Lesson 2

Class

Vocabulary skills

Things to do with new words

• Example sentences
• Check vowels and stressed syllables
• Record yourself
• Collocations
• Definition in English
• Synonyms ans antonyms
• Parts of speech
• Verrb structure for verbs, countability for nouns
• False friends

Example with legal

8 Things you could do - an example: 

(1) Legal write the word down, check the spelling

(2) (adjective)  note the part of speech 

(3) /li:g𝛛l/  note and practise the pronunciation - especially vowel sounds and where the stress falls. Listen to the pronunciation on an online dictionary. Record yourself and compare. 
(4) Legalise (Leagalize U.S.), Legality, Legally note the suffixes it takes to create other forms

(5) Illegal  note prefixes to change the meaning (or an antonym)
(6) (i) Related to law/the legal profession (ii) Within the law/lawful   note a meaning in English or a synonym so you can explain it if you forget it. 
(7) Legal English, legal representative, legal document c.f. law firm  Collocations
(8) (i) A passport is a legal document. (ii) The judge ruled that the transfer of shares was legal.   Write example sentences that reinforce the meaning and remind you of the structure. 

Introduction to phonemic chart

Links
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/41184334/Vocabulary

http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/11442648/Pronunciation

Homework

Go to Britsih Council.org or the iTunes App store and download for (frree) the Sounds Right phonemic chart so you can use it in class from next week onwards. If Sounds Right is not available for your device, download another phonemic chart but make sure that it follows the same organisation and format as the one below.
To download for iPad go to http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/apps/sounds-right
To download a desktop version for your pc go to http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/phonemic-chart

Writing a CV

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/25/words-cv-meaningless-job-hunters-statements

According to Stefan Stern, avoid the clichéd buzzwords and keep it simple and honest.

Types of Motivation

Post CPE Lesson 12

Lesson 12
Class

Martin Luther King Day
Political Leadership & Public Speaking
Film Reviews

Corrections

Nouns stongness strength

Play/Perform/Act  in the context of theatre/film/stage

play a role/character (transitive)

To be a good leader you have to be able to play act/perform.

Links
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2016/jan/19/black-lives-matter-protesters-block-bay-bridge-on-martin-luther-king-jr-day-video

http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/37883227/Political%20Leadership

http://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/leadership-lessons-from-davos-2016?utm_content=buffer6dfc2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Homework
(Due 6th February)
1. Write a film review on the film you have selected. If you have selected Selma, discuss the film's depiction of Martin Luther King Jr and how successful it is at portraying him. If you have chosen The Prestige or Truly Madly Deeply focus on the performances of David Bowie and Alan Rickman respectively and how these roles are representative of their film careers.

2. Reading - Julie Burchill http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2000/jul/29/weekend.julieburchill

ANIA Level C2 Group 8 Lesson 1

Lesson 1
Class
Discussion 
Mind over matter and coping with the January Blues

Reading
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/jan/18/top-10-tips-for-beating-the-january-blues-nicola-morgan
See also http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/08/false-hope-syndrome-why-we-quit-new-years-resolutions-this-weekend
The science behind Blue Monday http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/blue-monday-the-science-behind-the-most-miserable-day-of-the-year-a6816926.html

[W+(D-d)]xTQ/MxNA 
W is weather, D is debt, d monthly salary, T time since Christmas, Q time since failure of attempt to give something up, M low motivational level and NA the need to take action.  
Vocabulary
to attain = achieve, reach, accomplish 
to drag (someone/something) down = depress
to throw ideas around = brainstorm/discuss
to go through something (usually bad) = experience/endure

Homework

1. Read over the article again and note any new/interesting phrasal verbs, fixed expressions, idioms or collocations.
2. Do the exercises on the handout Language Work (adapted from Gold pp. 130 -131)

Open Cloze

Word Transformation

Sentence Transformation

Expressions and multi-word verbs with come

come up with, come across/over as, come around/round to (an idea, proposal), come down with (an illness), come out in (a rash, spots, hives), come down to, come in for (criticism), come up against, come up for, come out with, come of age, come to life, come to terms, come clean, come to hand, come to rest/to a stop, come to nothing/naught.

Going Further

Sad Songs http://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jun/10/pinkfloyd.popandrock

and the provocative Julie Burchill http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2000/aug/26/weekend.julieburchill

The Cure "I don't care if Monday's blue..."

D'Amico Shipping B1 Lesson 6

Lesson 6

Class

1) personality adjectives - listening p. 6

2) psychometric tests - listening p. 8

3) question forms and tenses p. 8

All page references to New Language Leader Intermediate

When you look at the tense of the verb, it's more important to consider its function than to just identify its name or what time it refers to. Aspect (e.g. whether it is perfect, simple or continuous) will add different meanings to the very according to the context.

Notes

Note the difference in pronunciation between quite and quiet

Note the difference in directness between How do you mean? And What do you mean?

Note the difference in connotation between quite good and quite good.

Homework

Grammar - question forms pp. 8 - 9

Questions 5,6,7a

If you have any doubts take a look at the notes examples and exercises in the Language reference and extra practice section on pages 126 - 127.

Thanks to Martina for volunteering to present song of the week next week. Let me know what song you want to do and I will post it here on the blog before next Thursday. 

Legal English at Bennett Languages Civitavecchia Lesson 9

Lesson 9
Class

• Discussion: Legal Developments in 2015 http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/dec/29/legal-highlights-the-law-stories-you-may-have-missed-in-2015 Online trials http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/feb/16/online-court-proposed-to-resolve-claims-of-up-to-25000
• The Supreme Court - listening, note taking and discussion http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/64452076/The%20Supreme%20Court%20-%20Listening
• Legalese - e.g. whereupon (when), whereas (while). The key to using and understanding these words correctly is knowing about dependent prepositions e.g. to be accused of something, a party to an agreement. 

Vocabulary

live (adjective /laiv/)

over-rule another court

repeal an act

compare (check the difference with comprise)

to put someone on trial

dissenting judge/judgment

Homework

• Finish the worksheet on legal adverbs. 
• Listen to the rest of the podcast and/or go over the parts you didn't understand again. 

A note about listening

Students can easily be demotivated when faced by tasks that are very challenging, particularly the first few times, but continued practice will gradually lead to an understanding of the text, and you will gradually start to relax more about dealing with more difficult texts. In the long run you will develop a much greater sense of achievement and experience far less stress when dealing with challenging listening situations in the real world.

ANIA B2 3 Group 5 Lesson 1

Group 5 
Level B2.3
Lesson 1

Class

1. Introduction and needs analysis
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/84924628/Things%20To%20Think%20About%20When%20Starting%20A%20New%20Course

2. The 4 keys to success in language learning
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/84924640/The%20Keys%20To%20Success

3. Reading and Discussion- Blue Monday http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/jan/18/top-10-tips-for-beating-the-january-blues-nicola-morgan

4. Introduction to vocabulary strategies.
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/41184334/Vocabulary

Homework

• Choose 8 words or units (phrases, phrasal verbs, idioms or collocations) which you think would be useful to learn. What 8 things could you do to learn these words/phrases?
• Have a look at Language Leader Upper Intermediate (Stefano has a copy) and discuss whether you would like to continue with this textbook for this course. Look at the topics, vocabulary, skills and grammar covered in each unit to help you make up your mind.

Going further

Reading: The science behind Blue Monday http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/blue-monday-the-science-behind-the-most-miserable-day-of-the-year-a6816926.html

[W+(D-d)]xTQ/MxNA 
W is weather, D is debt, d monthly salary, T time since Christmas, Q time since failure of attempt to give something up, M low motivational level and NA the need to take action.  

D'Amico Shipping B2 Lesson 6

Lesson 6 

Class 

Discussion - changes in working life/practices.

Listening p. 10 Working for yourself

Direct/indirect questions, open/closed questions

Vocabulary

Job security

Career path

Work/life balance

Equipment  or Tools?

Guess (noun) or  tentative (adjective)?

Pronunciation

Engine

Accessories

Homework

Question forms p. 11, questions 3, 4 and 5. Check notes on p. 130 if you are unsure.

Reading, pp. 8 - 9, all questions

Corrections

Do, make or have?

A compromise you make

Have a career

Make a mistake

A job you do

Are you agree? 

Do you agree?

Going further

Reading - Blue Monday: A look at the science behind 'the most miserable day of the year.'

See for Dr Cliff Arnall's equation. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/blue-monday-the-science-behind-the-most-miserable-day-of-the-year-a6816926.html

 [W+(D-d)]xTQ/MxNA
where W is weather, D is debt, d monthly salary, T time since Christmas, Q time since failure of attempt to give something up, M low motivational level and NA the need to take action.

Post CPE Lesson 11

Class

1. David Bowie and Popular Culture

Discussion
Listening & Note-taking Skills 

From Wired's pop culture podcast "Monitor"  19:20 - 34:00
http://www.wired.com/2016/01/culture-podcast-33/
http://www.wired.com/2016/01/remembering-david-bowie-always-one-step-ahead-of-the-rest-of-us/

Vocabulary

Note the use of a multi-word verb from last week's lesson - to come of age

Get a glimpse (of something/someone)

Prescient mind

Chameleon quality

Gender identity

To break boundaries

A voice of reason

Features of (American) informal spoken English

Uptalk - rising pitch at the end of assertions.

Use of like and so, just sort of, you know (what I mean) as fillers

Vague terms e.g. stuff

Informal and metaphorical expressions: blow your mind, uncork the bottle, switch it up, push back against (an answer/argument/view)

2. Style and Correction Task

Identifying different writing genres from CPE ariting tasks (report, newspaper article, magazine article, argumentative essay, review) and correcting errors in style, vocabulary (e.g. collocation) and grammar. Taken from Gold p. 185.

Homework

A magazine has asked you to write a personal tribute to David Bowie. In 250 - 250 words describe the moment you discovered Bowie and the impact he had on you personally and on pop culture in general. 

Going Further

• More on David Bowie

Mojo writer Keith Cameron celebrates pop's finest artist and greatest loss.http://podcast.tunetribe.com/song/Bowie-Mojo-writer-Keith-Cameron-celebrates-pops-finest-artist-and-greatest-loss-99?&aid=37

"And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear" an interesting tribute to David Bowie from a local newspaper in New Zealand: http://www.thepoke.co.uk/2016/01/13/new-zealand-paper-takes-local-angle-david-bowie-tribute/

• Accents - James Corden and Adele play carpool karaoke:

• Alan Rickman 

D'Amico Shipping B1 Lesson 5

Lesson 5

Class

• Using DVDs for practicing listening, see: http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/11442630/Film%20Lessons

A Quick Exercise to Try at Home 

Choose a film you know and have already seen. Choose a five minute scene which has some dialogue.

1. Watch it first without subtitles – what can you understand? Is there anything you don’t understand?
2. Watch it again with the subtitles. Was the problem due to vocabulary or fast connected speech? If you find a new word, look it up in your dictionary. If the problem was fast connected speech, listen to the phrase again and repeat it.
3. Now watch the scene again, this time without subtitles and see how much more you understand.

This exercise takes only 15 to 30 minutes and is a really useful way of developing your listening skills and improving your vocabulary.

 

If the film does not have subtitles available in English, you can always look at the script to check your understanding. You can find film scripts to most films on the following sites: The Internet Movie Script Database (IMSDb) http://www.imsdb.com  or Drew's Script-O-Rama  http://www.script-o-rama.com

• Personality Adjectives

New Language Leader Intermediate p. 6

Pronunciation

Check the pronunciation of ed suffixes - /d/, /t/ or /Id/?

e.g. warm hearted /Id/, organised /d/, strong willed /d/.

Check the vowel sounds of stressed syllables

e.g. warm hearted, assertive, reliable.

Check consonant sounds

e.g. sociable

 

Homework

• Flick through your new textbook and decide which units are the most interesting and/or useful for you.
• Reading introverts/extroverts p. 7. Read the text and answer questions 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b. 

Corrections
Verb Structure ask to someone
False Friends sensitive, sensible

Legal English at Bennett Languages Civitavecchia Lesson 8

Lesson 8

Wednesday 13th January 7:30pm

Class

Court Structure
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/64428921/Court%20Structure

Comparing jurisdictions

Key Vocabulary

Court of first instance

Court of appeal/appeals court/appellate court

Court of last resort

Pronunciation

Juvenile, appellate, tribunal

Homework

1) Think about a topic for your presentation. Next week we will go over language, structure and presentation skills and organise the timetable. 

2) Reading: Top Legal stories of 2015. For an electronic copy with links to the original stories, click here: http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/dec/29/legal-highlights-the-law-stories-you-may-have-missed-in-2015

D'Amico Shipping B2 Course Lesson 5

Lesson 5

Wednesday 13th January 12 pm

Class

The January Blues

Discussion and Reading

For an electronic copy, click here:http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/jan/18/top-10-tips-for-beating-the-january-blues-nicola-morgan

New Vocabulary

To feel down

Peer - a person of equal ability/social status/age/background

To drag down (to depress)

A brisk walk (brisk = fast & active, exhilerating)

To throw ideas around (to brainstorm, discuss freely)

A gripping book/film etc (gripping = thrilling, engrossing, exciting)

To team up with = collaborate, join forces

We're all in it together/ all in the same boat

GP - General Practitioner - a doctor whose practice is not limited to a specific branch of medicine.

People & Companies

BEC Vantage Masterclass Unit 1 pp. 5 - 7

New Vocabulary (check pronunciation)

Entrepreneur

Pharmaceuticals

Automotive

Homework

1) Flick through your new textbook and make a note of which topics, vocabulary, skills and grammar (language in use) units are the most useful for you.

2) Write a brief profile for a company using the grid in Question 5, p. 7. In the next lesson you can read your profile to your peers and see if they can guess the name of the company. 

Post CPE Lesson 10

Lesson 10
Saturday 9th January 2015

Discussion 
Mind over matter and coping with the January Blues

Reading
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/jan/18/top-10-tips-for-beating-the-january-blues-nicola-morgan
See also http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/08/false-hope-syndrome-why-we-quit-new-years-resolutions-this-weekend

Vocabulary
to attain = achieve, reach, accomplish 
to drag (someone/something) down = depress
to throw ideas around = brainstorm/discuss
to go through something (usually bad) = experience/endure

Language Work (adapted from Gold pp. 130 -131)

• Open Cloze
• Word Transformation
• Sentence Transformation
• Expressions and multi-word verbs with come

come up with, come across/over as, come around/round to (an idea, proposal), come down with (an illness), come out in (a rash, spots, hives), come down to, come in for (criticism), come up against, come up for, come out with, come of age, come to life, come to terms, come clean, come to hand, come to rest/to a stop, come to nothing/naught.

Grammar Check
as or like? http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/like-versus-as?page=all
number or amount?http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/amount-versus-number

Homework
Choose 8 of the above expressions with come that were new for you and do some vocabulary work on them - i.e. find a synonym and write an example sentence so use can remember their meaning and use.

Extras
Reading http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/dec/29/legal-highlights-the-law-stories-you-may-have-missed-in-2015

Video
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler spoof the pious behind the scenes documentaries that accompanied the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens while promoting their new film Sisters. They also demonstrate how to use an English accent to disguise the fact that you are drunk.

E.U. Commission Writing Course Lesson 10

Reading & Discussion - Health Care

Writing/Language Focus - Cohesion

Linkers

• additive
• contrastive
• causal
• temporal

Conjunctive adverbs - for connecting ideas across two sentences 

Follow-up Reading

Poland

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-poland-eu-commission-idUKKBN0UL1K020160107

Cuban Health Care

http://uk.reuters.com/article/cuba-reform-healthcare-idUKL2N0MI0C920140321